Eight defendants are in federal custody following their arrests in October and November 2018 on federal drug conspiracy charges, announced Erin Nealy Cox, U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Texas.
The defendants -- Lea Lea Bills, of Stephenville, Texas, Jeanne Butler, of Stephenville, Texas, Shauna Michelle Campbell, of Morgan Mill, Texas, Edward Martin Carranza, of Dublin, Texas, Michael Tyler Davidson, of Stephenville, Texas, David Wayne Green, of Lipan, Texas, Brad Keith, of Stephenville, Texas, and Michaela Danese Moncrief, of Dublin, Texas -- were all charged with one count of conspiracy to possess with the intent to distribute a controlled substance, and made their initial appearance before U.S. Magistrate Judge Jeffrey Cureton.
According to a Complaint filed last month, from about July 2017 through Aug. 30, the defendants conspired together, and with others, to possess with the intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine throughout the Northern District of Texas and elsewhere.
Members of the conspiracy had a fluid hierarchy that evolved over time. Some of the money derived from the sale and distribution of the methamphetamine was used to purchase additional quantities of methamphetamine.
A complaint is a written statement of the essential facts of the offense charged and must be made under oath before a magistrate judge. The government has 30 days to present the matter to a grand jury for indictment. A defendant is entitled to the presumption of innocence until proven guilty through due process of law.
If convicted, defendants face up to 40 years in federal prison and a $5,000,000 fine.
The Drug Enforcement Administration and Stephenville Police Department are in charge of the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Shawn Smith is prosecuting the case.
Source: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of the United States Attorneys
